Jason Kreis could only look on from a press box far away. The RSL coach watched as his team lost yet again, this time at the hands of the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Strikes by Nate Jaqua, Edson Buddle and Cobi Jones of the Galaxy put Real Salt Lake at the wrong end of the 3-2 decision last night in Los Angeles. Kreis was suspended from the game in consequence of his ejection from Thursday’s game with FC Dallas when he disagreed with a no-call in the 89th minute of a 1-0 loss.
Still winless, RSL (0-5-6) was hoping to find win number one at the Home Depot Center against fellow bottom-feeder Los Angeles (2-4-3). The Galaxy was playing without perennial all-star Landon Donovan, who was busy competing with the U.S. national team.
Los Angeles gladly took the three points to help its MLS standings–points that both teams were in desperate need of to save their seasons.
Not even Chris Brown’s second goal of the match in the 73rd minute could pump enough life into his teammates for the win. Birthday boy Cobi Jones threw the final shovel of dirt on RSL’s grave when he scored the eventual game winner in the 65th minute.
Brown–normally a reserve–got his first start of the season along with fellow bench mate Andy Williams, in an effort to create better scoring chances. The move seemed to work, producing two goals for Brown, the first of which was an equalizer in the 6th minute.
But as RSL’s offense produced, its defense let the Galaxy loose. Jaqua gashed the away team in the 4th minute when RSL defender Daniel Torres tried to play the ball back to goalkeeper Nick Rimando, but left it short.
Jaqua intercepted the pass and squeezed a shot past RSL keeper Nick Rimando. But Torres tracked down the shot and banged it off the inside of the left post in an effort to clear the ball, but Jaqua was left alone in front of the net with the rebound and picked up an easy goal in the process.
Brown answered by splitting three Galaxy defenders and putting the ball in the net from close range two minutes later. But that was all Real had to offer until it was too late.
Buddle gave the Galaxy the advantage in the 25th minute, scoring his first goal with his new team.
Jones scored in the 65th minute after Kyle Martino made a beautiful stop-and-go move to baffle the RSL defense before crossing the ball for the assist.
Chris Brown headed his second goal home off of a Freddy Adu corner kick. After the score, Brown barked at his teammates.
Although the offense found its form, RSL is still looking for its first win in the midst of an ever worsening season.
Freddy Adu did not start for the first time this season, but did replace Torres in the 60th minute. The 17-year-old was named to the USA roster for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup earlier this week, along with teammate Chris Seitz.
Salt Lake’s veteran defender Eddie Pope did not re-enter the match in the second half after suffering an injury in the first half. Earlier this week, the MLS original announced his retirement due to come at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old is in his 12th season in the MLS.
“It’s just time,” Pope said. “You get up in the morning and you’re in pain, before you practice you are in pain, and after practice you are still in pain.”
Pope is a record 10-time MLS All-Star and three-time MLS champion, all with D.C. United. A leader for the U.S. national team for many years, Pope finds himself ready and willing to retire in Salt Lake City.
“I love it here, and I’ve had a good time playing in front of these amazing fans,” Pope said. “To be able to retire here is a great thing for me.”
The news came on the same day that RSL announced they will host two world powers in Rice-Eccles Stadium in July. Everton FC–a strong contender in the prestigious English Premiership–and Boca Juniors will challenge Kreis’ squad in a pair of friendlies.
The matches are scheduled for July 21 and July 24, respectively.
“Last summer we delivered the world’s most recognized team to Utah with Real Madrid,” said RSL owner David Checketts. “Now in 2007, we combine the heritage of Pioneer Day Weekend with the growing tradition of our own, as we are elated to host one of the world’s elite in Everton and South America’s biggest and brightest star, Boca Juniors.”
RSL will next play hosts to D.C. United on June 23 at 7:30 p.m.